FAQ

What are your hours?

Our Open Hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 4-8pm. Volunteer hours are Mondays from 4-8pm.

What do I do if I want to donate a bike?

Bring it down anytime during our Open Hours (Tues or Thurs from 4-8pm). Also, check out the “Donate to BSBC” button on our website (top left).

What do I do if I want to buy a bike?

Come down anytime during our Open Hours (Tues or Thurs from 4-8pm) and check out what we have in stock. Also, check out the “Bikes for Sale” button on our website (top left).

What is Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op’s mission?

The Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op is a community bike shop working towards an equitable New Haven by getting people on bikes.

What does that mean?

We are a community space that works together to fix up bikes for people who need them! We get bikes donated to us from amazing people around Connecticut, we work together as a community to fix them up, and then we sell some as affordable used bikes to help fund our space and we donate the rest to those who cannot afford one. We also have Open Shop Hours where people can come fix their bike affordably using our tools and help from volunteers.

What is the history of the Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op?

BSBC was founded by John Martin in 2015. Since then, countless volunteers and members of the New Haven community have helped build, promote, refine, and maintain the Co-op, and have turned it into a vibrant, diverse, supportive community space in New Haven. We are made up of students and professionals, kids from Fair Haven and retirees from Wallingford, people who ride bikes across the country and people who ride bikes every once in a while. We all make decisions together, help each other out, support one another, and fix bikes together. The Co-op is a community built by everyone who helps out!

Does anything else happen at the Co-op?

Yes! We are an active community space, and we sometimes host events, meetings, and workshops. We host things related to our volunteers, friends, and donors, but also anything ‘on mission’ in New Haven. In the past we have had things as diverse as NH Public School Advocates meetings, book releases, charity concerts, potlucks, Build-a-Bike classes, and our annual Halloween fundraiser.

Mondays are Volunteer-only nights from 4-8pm. We currently have informal groups that play music in the loft and who go climbing at City Climb. We have cycling groups that do both mountain biking and road riding. And probably more fun stuff in the future! All are welcome, just ask!

Who else is located in the building?

Martin Electric: The building owner (and John’s Dad) is a (mostly) retired electrical contractor, whose family business has been wiring buildings in New Haven for over 90 years. Martin Electric bought the 138 Bradley Street building in 1964, and has been here ever since.

True Cyclery: Next door to the Co-op is True Cyclery, a custom bike studio run by our friend and fellow volunteer Karl Borne. Karl sells custom steel and titanium bikes from builders around New England, including Seven and Royal H.

The Kitchen: On the second floor of 140 Bradley Street (above the used bike room) is The Kitchen, a space run by Paul Hudson, and is a music production and co-working space.

How do I become a volunteer?

Come to either volunteer hours (Mondays from 4-8pm) or open hours (Tues and Thurs from 4-8pm) and say hi! We will get you into the system, give you a handbook to read, and get you started working on bikes, regardless of your skill level! If you want to get ~monthly updates on our volunteer program, you can sign up for our Volunteer Newsletter here!

What am I expected to do as a volunteer?

First and foremost, all volunteers (and all users of the space) must follow the rules and responsibilities (see below). In short: be nice and don’t abuse the space. Generally, volunteers do two main things: work on bikes and help customers. As you put more time in, you may help sell bikes, clean up, tag new bikes, and do other tasks. We respect your preferences though, so if you ever feel like you just want to be left alone to work on a bike, just tell the Kyle, James or Catherine!

How do I learn where everything is?

One day we will write a big manual about it all, but generally, we learn as we go! Just keep asking questions!

What are the User Rules and Responsibilities?

Respect the Community

• Respect others and self. Racist, ableist, ageist, homophobic, sexist, and classist behavior and language will not be tolerated. Do not insult others, and if you feel insulted or wronged, go get a volunteer. No pet names (like sweetie, darling, etc..) please.
• Assume best intent when someone says something.
• Do not insult other people’s bikes - we all ride what we ride and that is beautiful.
• Staff, volunteers, and members will not abuse their power or their position in any way.
• BSBC seeks to build a healthy community, and behavior seen as hindering this objective will not be tolerated.

Respect the Space

• Ensure you always leave time to clean up after yourself. Put tools back where you found them. If you don’t know what it is or where it goes, ask someone!
• If you have to leave in the middle of a project but want to keep working on it, put pieces into a small bag and attach it to the bike. Label your bike with your name, phone number, and the last date you worked on it.
• Personal projects may not be not stored at BSBC. If it is left without approval from staff, then you risk it being stripped, donated, or sold. BSBC takes no responsibility for anyone’s personal property.
• Do not borrow tools/inventory/parts within the space for personal use. Always remember to do a pocket check before leaving. If you accidentally walk off with a tool, don’t worry! Just bring it back as soon as you can.
• Do not force tools. If you do not know how to use a tool, please ask someone before using it.

Rules

• No alcohol in the space without consent from John.
• MAJOR: No stealing.
• MAJOR: No weapons (of any kind).
• MAJOR: No fighting (verbal or physical).

<<<If you break a MAJOR rule, then you will be asked to leave the space immediately, and required to meet with John one-on-one upon your return before re-entering the space>>>

Why are there always a bunch of white dudes in the shop?

Sadly, bike shops and bike maintenance culture has been a historically white/male dominated space. At the Co-op, we are not immune to this inheritance in the way we look, but we fight for equity and inclusion every day by building a culture that values diversity and togetherness. We do this by treating every human with equal respect and love.

What does it mean to run a diverse space?

We believe that we don’t spend enough time with people who are different than us. Because of this segregation, we are losing touch with what it means to live in a healthy, diverse, respectful, and equal society.

Bikes are flattening - everyone rides bikes - and bikes break down. That gives us an opportunity to come together over a problem, where hierarchy and prejudice can be left at the door; it gives us freedom and space to enjoy spending time with someone different than us.

Difference can be hard, and that is OK. At BSBC, be ready for it to be hard sometimes, and know that we will support one another as we build the world we want to live in.

What do I do if I have a problem?

Always reach out Kyle, James, Catherine, or another volunteer, explain the problem, and ask for help. We are here for each other, especially when there is a problem.

Does the Co-op have an ethos/culture that volunteers should follow?

We lead with positivity, allow for vulnerability, listen, ask questions, give respect, and always assume best intent.

We make decisions as a community, and support one another.